History of Royal Oak Revealed in Visit

Just about 14 miles from downtown Detroit, the City of Royal Oak (home to the Detroit Zoo) is considered one of the most dynamic and prolific communities melding hipsters, artisans, foodies, young and old professionals together in once place with a common interest...the preservation of the city's historic past.

According to Gloria Moran Harper, local historian and author, The naming of Royal Oak began when Michigan Territorial Governor Lewis Cass, on his way through the area from Detroit to Pontiac, stopped to rest under a very large oak tree, located at what is now Rochester Road and Main Street.  He exclaimed this really was a Royal Oak, referring to Bonnie Prince Charlie of Scotland, who once hid in a large oak tree.

Then in 1838, Sherman Stevens plotted 9 square blocks of the already built-up part of a settlement and named it Royal Oak after the township.

Muriel Versagi, the Museum Curator for the Royal Oak Historical Museum and Historical Society, gave me the dime tour of the museum which was originally the Royal Oak Fire Department Northwood  Station built in 1928.

The museum has an extensive collection of historical artifacts and rotating exhibits depicting all aspects of life of citizens who resided in Royal Oak.  This season's exhibit focuses on "Your Schools" a historic look at public and parochials schools from the mid 1800's through the 1960's.  The exhibit will run through the middle of September.

Ms. Versagi, who has lived in Royal Oak since the early 70's is still a "newbie" to the community.  However, her passion and zeal for preserving local history and using her entrepreneurial and communication expertise, she's become a model advocate and organizer for smaller historic museums.  Along with her volunteer staff of 13, Versagi has maximized the technological tools of the trade in archiving, cataloging and of course the social media/electronic communication.


The most interesting collections housed at the Royal Oak Museum include:

A display exhibit of Orson Starr family - One of the town's pioneering families who were one of the first manufacturers of the "Cowbell" in 1831.  The display shows a number of types of cowbell's made by this family business who still have a Michigan Farmhouse built in 1845 and is located at 2123 N. Main Street, one block south of 13 Mile Road.

Vintage fireman's gear and a life net (pictured top right) to go along with one remaining fire pole when it was in service.

A comprehensive collection of High School class photos dating back to the turn of the 20th century.

An archive of The Daily Tribune paper which is easily accessible.

What I found to be most intriguing about the Royal Oak Historical Society is their matriculation of home and property records of every citizen who every resided in Royal Oak.  According to Ms. Versagi, there are many cases where newly arrived couples and families come tot he Historical Society to get some background history of previous owner(s).  It's a great way to bridge the dividing age gap of millenials and boomers.  This is a trend the organization hopes to see in the future.

The Royal Oak Historical Museum is located at 1411 W. Webster in Royal Oak.  To learn more visit www.royaloakhistoricalsociety.com.